Prepare your kids for back to school health

The new school year is rapidly approaching which means, along with school work, it is also time to think about staying healthy throughout the school year.

The Keesler Public Health Flight is here to help keep Keesler children healthy by providing the proper techniques to prevent the spread of germs.

“It is important that kids learn the different ways to limit the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses, and also to teach the importance of hand washing as well as using hand sanitizer if sink and soap are not available,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Dailey, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician. “Children of all ages need to maintain good health habits and stay home when they are sick to prevent others from getting sick.”

A person often spreads germs when they touch a surface or object already contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth, said Airman 1st Class Breeanne Brummer, 81st AMDS public health technician.

Follow these proper hand washing steps to help limit the spread of germs:

Wet hands with clean, running water

Lather hands with soap by rubbing them together, back of hands, between fingers, and under nails

Scrub hands for 20 seconds (hum the “Happy Birthday” song) from beginning to end twice

Rinse hands under clean, running water

Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them

“To help prevent the spread of germs this school year avoid close contact with others, make sure to always cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough and then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer,” said Dailey. “Make sure to wipe down toys and surfaces with disinfectant wipes on a regular basis to prevent germs.”